Set of three tiered cups with stand, kiriko cut-glass

Sets of three tiered cups were often used for toasting in saké at weddings and other festive occasions. In this set, the spherical base is hollow; any saké not drunk could be disposed of in it. The exteriors are precisely cut in a plain diamond pattern, with sawtooth edges. The plain diamond pattern is the archetypical Edo-kiriko cut-glass motif. The three-legged base of this set, with its scalloped rim, is elegantly formed.